Nicky Ninedoors
Director
Nicky Ninedoors is a vocalist and burlesque artist with a penchant for extravagance. Her performance history began long ago when at the age of four she first showed everyone her frilly bloomers which definitely matched her dress during a formal piano recital. Nicky continued to study classical piano and voice for over ten years while dabbling in theatre, dance, guitar, art, and whatever other creative activity she could get her hands on! In 2008, Nicky discovered the world of burlesque, and made her singing striptease debut in early 2009. Since then, she has appeared in the Vancouver International Burlesque Festival, The Montreal Burlesque Festival, The Minneapolis Burlesque Festival, the Burlesque Hall of Fame in Las Vegas, Wasabassco's 10 Year Anniversary Show in New York, and has toured as a burlesque and striptease artist throughout the USA and Canada. Nicky is passionate about the history of vaudeville, circus, burlesque, bellydance, exotic dancing, and the diverse and exceptional performers found in each field. Her current movement studies reflect her historical interests, and include both fusion bellydance as well as pole dance and circus arts. As the Director of Pandora and The Locksmiths, Nicky strives to create exceptional productions which celebrate the incredible union of live music and performance.
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Twitter & Instagram: @msninedoors
Ava Lure
Associate Director
While some performers “burst” onto the burlesque scene, Ava Lure’s ascent has resembled more of a high-viscosity ooze of angst and ardour. Performing burlesque since 2010, Ava has graced the stages of the Taboo Revue, Rock & Roll Burlesque, the Vancouver International Burlesque Festival, Toronto Burlesque Festival, Edmonton Burlesque Festival, Texas Burlesque Festival, Minneapolis Burlesque Festival, and with Screaming Chicken Theatrical Society, the Burlesque Hall of Fame Weekender. Besides being the Managing Producer of The Orchid Club, she is also the Associate Director of Pandora & The Locksmiths.
With a strong commitment to incorporating artistic education into her creative practice, Ava has a Diploma in Theatre as well as Alumni Award for Community Service from Douglas College, an Advanced Certificate in Arts & Entertainment Management and Bachelor of Performing Arts from Capilano University, and has studied Viewpoints Movement Improvisation from the Banff Centre for the Arts. Ava is the current Vice President and 2015 President of the Vancouver International Burlesque Festival Association, serves on the board of the Jessie Richardson Theatre Awards Society, and also acts as Events Coordinator of Burlycon.
Blending theatricality with timeless grace every time she hits the stage, her intoxicating movements lure you into her dream world.
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Twitter: @avasjewelbox
Instagram: @avaluremeow
Click here to like Ava on Facebook
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Ruthe Ordare
Producer
Serving up hips, thighs and bedroom eyes Ruthe Ordare has been a mainstay in the bustling Vancouver burlesque scene since 2011. Dubbed the Canadian Meringue for being light on her feet and twice as sweet, Ruthe serves up classic glamour with a contemporary pulse. Internationally, Ruthe has been awarded “Best Solo” at the 2014 Texas Burlesque Festival and “Best Duo” at the 2014 Oregon Burlesque Festival. She has also performed at the Burlesque Hall of Fame’s Movers, Shakers & Innovators showcase in 2015 and the Tournament of Tease (Duo) in 2013. She’s has performed at festivals in Vancouver, Edmonton, Calgary, Toronto, Portland OR, Austin, TX and Las Vegas NV. When not on the stage, Ruthe can be found in the studio at the Vancouver Burlesque Centre where she shares her love of the jiggle!
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Twitter & Instagram: @rutheordare
John Bews
Music Director, Bass
John Bews enjoys playing bass, collecting records, and taking photos.
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www.ninedoorsphotography.tumblr.com
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Miss Kiss
Miss Kiss has taken her clothes off in bedrooms, bathrooms, change rooms, and on stages - but only during the latter is she paid to do so (because it would probably be a crime if she was paid during the former). She is a classically trained singer with a flare for dramatics. Miss Kiss has had the pleasure of performing with Beatles Burlesque, Kitty Nights, Geekenders, Sex at the Circus, The Vancouver International Burlesque Festival and others. She is a proud member of Pandora and the Locksmiths. In closing, watching Miss Kiss perform is the one time you'll feel okay about being scared and turned on at the same time.
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Twitter: @miss_kiss
Instagram: @xx_misskiss_xx
Carole Brunette
Carole Brunette debuted as a burlesque artist back in 2007 as part of the start-up acts Sneaky Kiki's Girlesque and Magic Box. Soon this cabaret cutie was winning hearts with her solo act at the famous Kitty Nights West, as well as playing alongside local favourites as part of Kitty Nights Productions' special presentations (Laugh-A-Delic Love-In, The Wall, et al). Appearing as Burly-q, Go-Go dancer, and even Vegas-style showgirl for community fund raisers, corporate functions, night club events,and short films, Carole fast became a familiar face within Vancouver's blossoming burlesque scene.
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Born a showgirl, Carole began acquiring her stage prowess when she started in ballet at the wise age of 3. As an adult she continued her foundational training to include contemporary and classical acting, theatre sports, classical voice, and musical theatre styles of dance. In 2004 she was one of only thirty hopefuls accepted by the exclusive Canadian College of Performing Arts, where she then completed two years of intensive training to prepare her for the world of professional entertainment. But this official triple threat's talents don't stop there; her classic ham translates to SHAZAM with ease in the funky realness of soul, R&B,and hip hop, at the true core of her musical passion. Equal parts sweet and 'street', Carole's emotive sensuality and bring-it-on attitude make her a natural at the art of exotic dance and strip-tease.
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A performing member of the dynamic Pandora and the Locksmiths since the group's inception in 2010, Carole Brunette is always honoured to share the stage with such fierce talents and bright souls as those of her comrades. She also appears proudly as one of the swinging 60s'sweethearts, The Hot Pants, who represent as Vancouver's very own authentic Go-Go dance troupe. She has had the fortune to appear aspart of the production lineup for the Vancouver International Burlesque Festival every year since 2009. Carole also shares her love of dance as an instructor at the Vancouver Burlesque Centre.
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Voracious V
One of the founding members of Pandora and the locksmiths live jazz burlesque collective in Vancouver British Columbia, Voracious V is known for her diverse and innovative style that knows no boundaries. Creatively blending everything from classical to comedic, conceptual to a spectacle, this saucy vixen will charm her way into your hearts. For over 6 years she has graced the stages not only in her home city, but all across North America and Europe! including the Vancouver International Burlesque festival at the historical Vogue theatre since 2012, The Edmonton Burlesque Festival, New York Burlesque Festival, Stockholm burlesque festival and finally competed in the "best debut" category at the world renowned Las Vegas Burlesque Hall of fame weekend 2014!
Miss Fitt
Miss Fitt is a vocalist, dancer, choreographer and producer with a signature psychedelic style and love for fringe, go-go boots and vintage vinyl records. In addition to her fascination with the 60s and 70s style, her background as a jazz and contemporary dancer comes through in her burlesque performance style. She is a founding member of Pandora and the Locksmiths, the director of The Hot Pants: a retro 60s style dance group specializing in authentic 60s Go-Go dance. And producer/ director of the memorable burlesque and variety show Paris à Minuit. Miss Fitt has traveled the world over the past decade as a dancer and vocalist in various tribute shows. She continues to train as a dancer under the direction of Luciterra Dance Company and performs and records as a background vocalist with a number of Vancouver-based original artists.
Ariel Helvetica
Ariel Helvetica has been stamping her unique font all over the Vancouver Burlesque scene since her October 2011 solo debut. A born and raised dancer, Ariel spent 5 years abroad, wowing audiences in France as a professional Can-Can/Showgirl, and then criss-crossing the globe and criss-crossing her long legs as a professional high-kicker on cruise ships, visiting 45 countries along the way.
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Growing up and training to be a “serious” dancer, Ms. Helvetica’s natural talent and drive took her far into the realm of traditional dance and ballet. But her love of performing, musicals, show tunes and, above all else, dancing to the beat of her own drum, hinted she would eventually leave those constricting toe shoes behind for bigger - and higher - kicks. Sure enough, Ariel’s raw sense of creativity and passion soon pulled her towards the hot red lights of burlesque, where she finally gave in to temptation, biting the apple of this delightful art form. Ariel is a proud member of Pandora & the Locksmiths- a dynamic collective of professional singers, dancers, striptease artists and musicians. You can also find this kinky kicker working her magic with Blue Morris’s Rock and Roll Burlesque, Tarantino Burlesque and Nightmare before Nutcracker, Go-Go Bungalow at the Shameful Tiki Room and Kitty Nights West. Ariel has performed at the Vancouver International Burlesque Festival, Southwest Burlesque Showcase in Albuquerque, New Mexico, the International Stockholm Burlesque Festival and world renowned New Orleans Burlesque Festival where she competed for the coveted title of Queen of Burlesque in 2015. Ms. Helvetica is a teacher at the Vancouver Burlesque Centre and has also brought her Can Can expertise to BurlyCon Burlesque Arts Convention in Seattle, Washington.
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Twitter & Instagram @ariel_helvetica
August Wiled
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Leaping onto the Vancouver burlesque scene in 2012, August has been captivating audiences with her wiling ways ever since. A fast audience favorite she has become known for her expression, grace and unique detailed style of movement, which she shares with students as an instructor at the Vancouver Burlesque Centre. Her life-long passion and training in multiple disciplines of dance, combined with an inherent love for visual creation has led to her dedication to many aspects of live performance, including costume-making. Both with Pandora and The Locksmiths, and independently, August has been showcased in the Vancouver International Burlesque Festival at the Vogue Theater in both 2012 - 2015, and was recently chosen to compete for "Best Debut" at the Burlesque Hall Of Fame Weekend in Las Vegas.
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Twitter & Instagram: @augustwiled
Sean Bayntun
Keys
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Sean Bayntun is a keyboard chameleon. Classically trained with a Master's in solo piano, his creative work since graduating has been to explore other genres. That exploration has led to performances throughout the continent with many groups, including festivals such as the Burlesque Hall of Fame Weekender, POP Montreal, CMJ in New York City, and Rifflandia. As a soloist, he has performed with the Vancouver Symphony Orchestra and was also the title of "Most Entertaining" at the Canadian National Piano competition in 2001. Sean is also a music director for local theatrical productions. Over the last two years, he captained nearly 200 shows of "Avenue Q" at the Arts Club and won a Jessie Award for Significant Artistic Achievement for his work on "Light in the Piazza" in 2011. His fascination with synthesizers has led to collaboration with various bands in the Vancouver indie scene. Currently, Sean is an active member of "Facts" and "Other People". His jazz discovery began in 2010 when his sister Nicky Ninedoors conscripted him to be a part of the Locksmiths – the rest is history!
Alison Gorman
Trumpet
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Alison Gorman is a trumpet player out of Vancouver. Alison performs in a range of ensembles, including the burlesque group Pandora and the Locksmiths, trad jazz swing band Sweetpea, African/reggae band Pendomoja, as well as directing Queer As Funk, Vancouver’s own LGBT Motown, soul and funk band. She has performed with a number of artists including Dan Mangan, 54-40, Ivan Coyote,The Salteens, Pacific Sound Collective, Kate Reid and others.
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Dominic Conway
Saxophone
Liam MacDonald
Drums
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Liam's life as a drummer/percussionist began when he was 9 years old in Kitchener, Ontario when his uncle, who was a professional drummer, left a beautiful set of old Rogers drums in the basement of the house he grew up in. After a few years of orchestral percussion lessons he started playing in clubs with Rock and R & B bands and continued to do so throughout his teens. In 1997 Liam relocated to the West Coast and has been calling Vancouver home for the last 15 years. Since Liam has been in Vancouver he has been equally in demand for his Drumset playing as well as his abilities as a Multi-percussionist, this has led him to working with an extremely eclectic mix of projects.
Luis Melgar
Trombone
Studio photos by fubarfoto, live photos by Bob Ayers. Do not use without permission.